The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-11-09
STEWARDS BONES.
The Sensational Story Of Their Dis
appearance Now Told for the
First Time.
The Still More Interesting Narrative Of
Their Recovery from the
Ghouls.
AT First They Demanded $3.50, 900,
But Finally Came Down to
$4,000.


The mystery which has so long envel-
opkd the whereabouts of the body of the
millionaire dry goods dealer, Alexander L.
Stewart, forms the subject of chapter In
Superintendent George w. Wallings book,
"The Recollections of New York Chief
Of Police" A New York special says:
The ex-superintendent processes to give tho
only true story of the stealing OF the body, and
also alleges that the body was subsequently
returned 10 representatives Of Judge Hilton.
The remains were buried in St Mark 3 church
yard corner of Second avenue and Tenth
street in an underground vault, the entrance
to which was covered by a hagstone, which in
turn was sodded over level with the surround
ing surface, so that there was no outward evil
denoe OF its location.
Judge Hilton had discovered evidences that
the vault mad been tempered with, and set a
watch; but, as nothing further uanspired. tho
watch was withdrawn. and three nights later
that is, on the night Of Nov. g. or the morning OF
Nov. z, 1873, the vault broken open
and the remains stolen. Judge Hilton was
firmly of the opinion that the sexton or his as
.sistant had guilty knowledge OF the transac-
tion; but this was never shown. The Judge at
once offered award of So, .0O for the return OF
the body ana the conviction OF the grave rob-
bers
The first clue came from General Patrick H.
Jones, eX-Postmaster of New York, who notified
n der him claimed To know something about Mr.
! Stewards body, and with proper encouragement
would give information leading to the recovery
The superintendent submitted the offer to Judge
Hilton. who declared he would never pay one
cent for MIR. Stewards bones unless they came
accompanied by the thieves in irons. General
Jones was persistent, nnd wanted TO work uI
the case and arrange for buying the body. He
showed letters from the thieves, and Il few days
later gave the police package expressed TO
him from Bostcn, containing coffn-plate,
which was Identified by the engraver who had
done the WORK To complete their identif-
cation, the robbers sent piece OF paper that
fitted exactly TIE hole in the velvet cover in
the coffin cut by themselves when the body was
removed. This is now in the hands of Sexton
Hamill, and the coffin plate is at police head
quarters
Judge Hilton remained unalterable and thu
case was dropped by the authorities, but con-
tinued by private detectives. Mrs. Stewart dif-
fered with her counsel. and strongly wished TO
recover the body. Learning this fact, the rob-
bers opened correspondence with her directly.
No trace Of the body or thieves was found until
January, 1882, when Gen. Jones called at head
quarters. He brought with him parcel which
contained the silver knobs and several of the
handles belonging 20 the coffin in which the
body had been buried. He also showed some
letters he had received They purported to
have been written in Canada. and were signed
Henry q. komaine." With the first letter a
500 bill was inclosed as retainer for him to
act as attorney for the return of the body upon
the payment of $4,000. The letter then went
on to tell the hour at " hich the lody was taken ;
how it was inclosed in u zinc-lined trunk and
features perfectly preserved except the
eyes This the letter W hich inclosed the
bit Of paper corresponding with the size of the
hole in the velvet, and promised, il further
proof required to send the coffin plate
upon the insertion in the New York Herald OF
these words:
"Canada-send p. COUNSEL
The personal was inserted, and under date q
Boston, Jan. 81. 1879. letter came saying the
plate was sent from there to avoid the scrutiny
of customs officials on the Canadian border
The plate received and identified General
Jones was instructed in case the relatives were
ready to negotiate for the remains, to insert
this personal in the Herald:
"Canada-Will do business. COUNSEL"
This was done at Judge Hlton's request. The
reply which came from Boston, Feb. IL, set
forth the terms upon which the body would be
restored. They were as follows:
l. The amount to be paid shall be 100000
2 The body will be delivered to yourself and
Judge Hilton within twenty-five miles OF tho
4 city Of Montreal, and no other person shall be
= present.
3. The money to be placed in your hands or
under your control until Judge Hilton is fully
satisfied, when you will deliver it to my repre-
sentative
4. Both parties to maintain forever an un-
broken silence in regard to the transaction.
Judge Hilton refused to agree to the terms
proposed, and further declined to negotiate
through the medium OF personals
Romano then written TO, General Jones
informing him OF the condition of things. His
reply was soon received, ordering Mr. Jones to
break of all communication with Judge Hilton,
ard open negotiations with Mrs. Stewart. No
notice was taken OF tliS request but in March
Judge Hilton made an offer OF $4,000 for the
body. General Jones made the fact known to
Romaine, who respectfully but firmly declined
This closed the correspondence.
The robbers becoming discouraged now Of
fered to sell the body for 500, 0O0 Mrs. Stewart
willing, and ordered her representatives
to pay the amount They delayed matters un-
til the figure was reduced to S2O,OoO. which was
accepted. The conditions OF delivery were
severe The messenger with the money was
to leave New York City at 10 p. m, alone, in a
one-horse wagon, and drive into Westchester
County, along lonely road, which indi-
Gated on map sent by the thieves Some
time before morning. il the man acting in
good faith, and was not accompanied or fol-
lowed by detectives, he would be met and given
further directions.
A young relative of Mrs Stewart undertook
the hazardous Grand Two or three times dur
ing the night he was certain that he was closely
watched. put it was o'clock when a mask ed
horseman rode up, gave the signal agreed on
and turned the buggy mp lonely lane The
strange visitor here left him, directing him tc
drive on: AT the end OF another mile he became
aware that another wagon blocking the
way. He paused. masked man promptly
= appeared and brought forward a bag to his
buggy, saying Here il is where s the money !?
where's the proof Of IDENTIFY" asked the
messenger the bag containing the mortal
remains OF A. i. stewart was lifted into the
- buggy.
Here, said the other. holding up an irreg u
lar bit OF velvet and opening n bull s-eye liant
ern with click. The piece was compared with
a bit OF paper of the same shape. which the
New-Yorker had brought with him to this,lone
1y spot.
Come hurry up" was the command.
The messenger obeyed by producing the
money, and the robbers retired few feet and
counted it by the light of the lantern. Their
they moved of TO their vehicle, and the messen
ger of Mrs. Stewart drove back the way he had
come. The next night freight car went out Il
Garden City, containing nothing except a trunk
and IL sat man who had spent tn,
previous night in the loneliest part of Westc hes
ter County. An empty ceffin had been already
deposited in the cathedral, and ut the dead o.
night two men transferred the bones to i
from the trunk They then placed the coffin il
an inaccessible vault beneath the dome.
III any one should ever again touch unbidden
the vault which holds the bones q the mer
chant millionaire the touch would release
\ hidden spring, which would shake the chimes
I'm the tower and send an instant alarm
throughout the town.